Nanny

How to Write a Nanny Contract

November 14, 2017 by Jamie Danielle

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After weeks of fretting and searching, you finally found a caregiver that you can trust with your kid. Hard part over, right? Not so fast. Here’s what you need to know about nanny contracts (including why they’re so clutch for a successful working relationship).

Wait, what’s a nanny contract? It’s exactly what it sounds like—an employment agreement between you and your nanny that covers various work details such as responsibilities, hours, wages and employment duration.

Urgh, but I hate paperwork. Do I really need one? A nanny contract is not a legal requirement, but having a written agreement in place can help avoid any potential misunderstandings (like suddenly finding yourself without a caregiver on Columbus Day) plus resolve disputes amicably should they arise.

OK, sold. What should I include in my nanny contract? Whatever you want. There’s no need to go OTT (say, listing every vegetable that you want your kids to eat on a daily basis) but feel free to include details about working hours, childcare duties (and non-childcare ones like laundry and grocery shopping, if appropriate), salary, benefits (like vacation, holidays and health insurance) and emergency plans.

How do I write up a nanny contract? You don’t need a lawyer to make a contract binding (but you can always ask one to review it if you want) and there are plenty of free nanny agreement templates online that can provide you with a good starting point. Once written up, you and your nanny should both sign and date the contract, and then each keep a copy. Review the agreement every year and evaluate if it needs to be altered.

Bottom line? The key to a successful working relationship is being clear about expectations and boundaries up front. And FWIW: She’ll appreciate it if you give her Columbus Day off.

SOURCE: Pure Wow

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3 Essential Tech Safety Tips for Parents and Their Kids

November 9, 2017 by Jamie Danielle

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Parenting in the age of technology presents challenges Grandma and Grandpa didn’t have to deal with. Our children are ‘connected’ to the world—and if they aren’t their toys are.

Common sense practices keep your kids safe most of the time. Just about everyone uses computers either at work, at home, or both. We have anti-malware software and firewalls. Everyone should know about password security and phishing scams. Your bank will never ask you for your password in emails or messages. If all else fails, just turn the computer off, right?

We’re used to viewing the internet as a portal, something we can restrict access to. However, there are threats parents may not be aware of. Beyond the potential for exposure to adult imagery or cyber-bullying, there are concerns ranging from child-identity theft to abduction. The following practices will help parents defend their families from technology threats in the modern age.

1. Keep your information safe. This goes beyond using secure passwords and backing-up your files. Someone who wants to hurt your family doesn’t care about tax returns. Ask 10 children what they want to be when they grow up and, chances are, a few are gonna say “A YouTuber.” When we live-stream, or give out our location in real-time status updates, we’re advertising our location to anyone who cares to know. Not every criminal is trying to abduct your children; some just want to know when you won’t be home. Make sure kids are only live-streaming when there are adults present, and refrain from posting status updates that let the world know that nobody’s home.

2. Be an expert consumer. If there’s one thing I find terrifying, it’s hearing parents say things like “My 10 year-old knows more about these gadgets than I do.” Devices are getting smarter, many toys have built-in connectivity to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or RF. The FBI suggests parents visit the website for every ‘smart’ toy/device your child has. Understand that devices with cameras and/or microphones featuring any wireless connectivity can be hacked. Conduct internet searches on each device to ensure there aren’t widely-known security issues.

3. Know the apps your kids access. You don’t have to invade your children’s privacy in order to help keep them safe online. Sit down with your children, periodically, and take a look at every single app on their devices. Ask your child how they use each app, and research the ones you aren’t familiar with. Test each app by downloading them on your own device and signing up for an account. Remember: apps that don’t require a phone number can be signed up for anonymously. Roblox, Yellow, and Periscope, are just a few apps that pedophiles have accessed to harm children. Other concerns include apps that don’t function the way you’d expect. For example, an app called “Calculator%” is a hidden-photo app on iOS.

We’re long past the days when our only concerns, as parents in the digital age, involved what our kids might be exposed to on the internet. Of course we’re worried our children are going to see things online that they aren’t mature enough to understand. We should also be worried that someone who wishes our family harm might know where our kids are at any given time.

An educated parent is a prepared one. Talk to your children about information security and use these best practices to keep your family safe.

SOURCE: The Next Web

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Read This Before Hiring or Paying a Nanny

October 23, 2017 by Jamie Danielle

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Actress Mary-Louise Parker got an unwelcome taste of the dark side of nannies this week when her children’s caregiver was arrested for allegedly using Parker’s PIN to steal more than $30,000 from the Weeds actress. That’s a nightmare scenario, of course, but it’s a reminder of the highly personal nature of the nanny relationship.

Back-to-school season is prime time for hiring nannies and soon many families will be entrusting their children to the care of a stranger.

It’s something that’s becoming increasingly expensive: Nearly a third of families spend 20% or more of their annual household income on child care, up from 18% in 2014, according to Care.com’s most recent survey of child care costs.

But in addition to the financial burden, hiring a nanny for the first time can also be one of the most stressful and emotional decisions a parent will make and, as such, they could be more likely to make mistakes. “It’s the first time they’ve had a baby and now they’re trying to go back to work and juggle everything,” said Tom Breedlove, business development director at Care.com HomePay, which provides household payroll services.

On top of that, some parents feel a sense of multilayered guilt about hiring a nanny, said Susan Fox, founder of the Brooklyn parenting group Park Slope Parents. “There’s the guilt of leaving your child in the hands of someone else,” Fox said. “There’s the guilt of, ‘I had this child, shouldn’t I be raising it?’ There’s the guilt of, ‘I’m paying as much as I can for my nanny and they’re barely living above the poverty line and they’re coming to work in a $2 million or $3 million house. There’s class and race all wrapped up in it.”

And — whether or not you live in a $3 million home or a $300,000 home — parents are dealing with the double whopper of being a parent and being an employer. That’s a lot of responsibility, Breedlove says. “Some people say, “Oh, this makes my head hurt,’” he says.

With that in mind, here are some of the most costly mistakes parents make when hiring and managing a nanny:

Don’t pay your ‘nanny taxes’ on tax day

It’s been almost 25 years since then-President Bill Clinton’s Attorney General nominee Zoe Baird lost her shot at the job because of a controversy over not paying a domestic worker’s Social Security taxes (along with two other would-be Clinton appointees).

Baird’s name is a distant memory but the phrase nanny taxes has stuck around, and it’s confusing for families, Breedlove said, because it gives the impression that nanny-related taxes are paid on tax day, like income tax is. That’s not correct. Just like your paycheck has taxes for Social Security, Medicare and unemployment taken out of it, so must your nanny’s. The time to set that up is when you hire the caregiver.

“When busy families think of taxes, they think, ‘Oh I can deal with it at tax time,’ meaning next March or April. But the problem is, it’s really not a tax issue, it’s an employment issue,” Breedlove said. Care.com has a calculator to help families figure out their payroll tax obligations.

Don’t pay more than (or below) the market rate

How much you pay your nanny depends of course on unique factors including how old your children are, how many years of experience the nanny has, and whether the nanny’s duties include tasks such as cooking, housecleaning and driving children to activities.

But where you live also plays a big role. The national average is $28,354 a year ($13.63/hour) But in San Francisco families pay an average of $35,848 a year (roughly $17.23 an hour) while families in Waterloo, Iowa, pay $26,998 (about $12.97 per hour), according to a 2016 survey of child care costs in major metro areas by Care.com.

Table:Average hourly rate for nannies working a 40-hour week, caring for one to two children

Year	Hourly Rate
2013	$11.80
2014	$11.92
2015	$13.91
2016	$13.63
Source: Care.com

You can get a ballpark idea for rates in your area on sites like Care.com, PayScale, Sittercity and International Nanny Association. But also check in with Facebook groups for families in your neighborhood and local parenting groups such as DC Urban Moms, Berkeley Parents Network, and Park Slope Parents in Brooklyn.

Park Slope Parents’ most recent survey of nanny compensation, released in July, found that the average hourly pay for a nanny caring for one child is now $17.63 — an increase of $1.99 since 2015.

Parents can save considerably on costs by doing a nanny share where they pay for a nanny to watch their child and another family’s child at the same time.

Don’t pay ‘off the books’

Some families hand their nanny cash or a check every week, and leave Uncle Sam out of the equation; some even say their nannies prefer this arrangement. However, that’s illegal, says Daniel Rafeedie, director of sales and marketing at the household payroll service HomeWork Solutions.

Nannies are protected by the federal Fair Labor and Standards Act, which means they must be paid overtime when they work more than 40 hours in a week and they must be paid at least minimum wage, Rafeedie said. Families are also responsible for withholding payroll taxes— sometimes called nanny taxes (see below) and face penalties, including fines, if they don’t.

Several states have more stringent employment laws that supersede federal law and require benefits such as paid sick time or, in California, the right to use your employer’s kitchen to cook your own food. For more information on state laws check here.

It’s also illegal to hire an undocumented worker, but if you do, you’re still responsible for paying taxes for them, Rafeedie noted.

Don’t use a 1099 form for your nanny

It’s a common misconception that nannies are independent contractors whose wages are reported on a 1099. That’s wrong, and using that form instead of the correct one — a W-2 — can be considered tax evasion, Breedlove said. A W-2 is the correct form because the nanny is an employee of the family in the eyes of the IRS, and the family must withhold Social Security and Medicare taxes.

Do use a written agreement or contract

This isn’t legally required, but having one will prevent angst down the road.

“You want a well-crafted work agreement that spells out the terms and conditions of employment, including hours, duties, benefits and compensation,” said Rafeedie of HomeWork Solutions, which has a sample contract on its website.

When issues such as holidays aren’t spelled out and a question comes up about how much money the nanny is owed, families tend to overpay rather than underpay because they don’t want to anger their caregiver, said Park Slope Parents’ Fox. Families worry an unhappy nanny could lead nannies to give their children less-than-optimal care, Fox said. “There’s this big fear that if I don’t pay my nanny well, it will impact how my child or children get treated,” Fox said.

Do have performance reviews

Keeping your nanny informed about whether she or he is meeting expectations will prevent misunderstanding — and surprises — if you have to fire the nanny because they’re not performing well, Fox said.

Do get workers’ compensation insurance

Many families mistakenly assume that their homeowner’s insurance covers medical bills if the nanny gets injured while working, but that’s not the case. If a worker such as a plumber was injured in your house, yes, you would probably be covered under a homeowner’s insurance policy, Breedlove said. But because nannies are “W-2 employees” — the IRS form where their income is reported — the family should also have workers’ compensation insurance. “These families are really looked at as businesses and entities that have liabilities,” Breedlove said.

Some states even require workers’ compensation insurance. In New York, families can be fined $200 a day for not having it.

Do keep records

As an employer, you’re required to provide your nanny with pay stubs and timesheets, and you’ll need to keep a Form I-9 (employment authorization verification) and a W-4 (tax withholding) on file for them. One important reason to do this: if there’s a dispute about whether you paid your nanny correctly, you’ll have proof.

Don’t put your nanny on your company’s payroll

Some families that run a business think they can just put their nanny on the company’s payroll, but that’s illegal under IRS rules, according to Breedlove.

SOURCE: Market Watch

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11 Ways Moms Can Balance Work and Family

August 18, 2017 by Jamie Danielle

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It’s never easy being a mom trying to juggle a full-time job with a family life. This is where hiring nannies and babysitters come in. Create a list of criteria that are important and then schedule time to interview qualified childcare providers. Hire nannies with a history of long-term commitments to families as this shows they have excellent experience and are adaptable to various age groups, caring for newborns and older children who need homework help. This article has more tips on how working moms can balance work and family.

More moms than ever are in the workforce. According to the Center for American Progress, “women now make up half of all workers in the United States, with nearly 4 in 10 homes having a mom that is also a working mother.” Being a full-time working mother can lead to feelings of guilt and stress because of divided attention between work and family. The key is to focus on a plan, get organized, and find the right balance between profession and parenthood. Here are 10 ways to help make sure both your career and your family flourish.
Let go of the guilt. Rather than dwell on how you’re not with your child, think about how your role in the company is benefitting the family. Perhaps you can afford certain classes or educational opportunities for your children or you’re able to put away savings for college. “The most successful career moms have found ways to be efficient in both worlds—and that requires being able to come to terms with choices and focus on the priorities that are in the moment,” says Lisa Pierson Weinberger, a lawyer and the founder of the law practice Mom, Esq. Accept that there will be good and bad days. Mothers should know they are not alone and they should discuss their feelings with partners or support groups. Local mom blogs, such as Working Moms Against Guilt, are a great way to reach out to others trying to find the same work-home balance.
Find Quality Childcare. Ask your network of friends and family for references to nannies, babysitters, and daycare centers. Create a list of criteria that are important and then schedule time to interview qualified childcare providers or to tour local daycares. Sharon Tepper, the president of Brownstone Nannies, Inc., recommends hiring nannies with a history of long-term commitments to families. This shows they have excellent experience and are adaptable to various age groups, caring for newborns and older children who need homework help.
Tepper also encourages families to schedule a paid playdate with the candidates, because “this playdate (typically two to four hours) allows the family to evaluate how the nanny interacts with the child in a less formal setting.” A good childcare provider should have extensive experience, excellent references, and a record to prove it. A good daycare facility should have flexible hours, a low teacher-to-student ratio, outdoor space, up-to-date licenses, and employees who have had their backgrounds checked.
Make the Mornings Easier. Avoid starting the day on a frazzled note by getting organized the night before. Pack the kids’ lunches, lay out their clothes (plus your own), and have everyone shower. “You should also decide what to make for breakfast, and repack the diaper bag, backpacks, purses, or work bags to be placed by the door, right next to your keys, so you can grab them and lock up on your way out,” suggests Amanda Wiss, the founder of Urban Clarity, a Brooklyn-based organizing service. Look over the next day’s to-do list and divide the schedule, determining which parent gets the kids dressed, buys necessary groceries, and cooks the meals. This is also a good time to discuss any changes to the family schedule. Knowing that a lot of the mundane tasks are completed will allow you to spend a few minutes eating breakfast with the kids without rushing out of the house.
Create and Organize a Family Calendar. Figure out your family’s priorities. A calendar can include dates when bills are due, a chore chart for the kids, a list of school and family events, extracurricular activities, birthdays, and more. Wiss suggests using Google calendars, which can be easily shared and synced on smartphones, because “they are color-coded and get superimposed on each other, so you can always be on top of scheduling challenges.”
Fran Durekas, Founder and Chief Development Officer for Children’s Creative Learning Center, suggests “setting aside 15 minutes each Sunday to review and prepare for the upcoming week’s schedule. This helps eliminate surprises during the week. Families should share the calendar with their babysitter or nanny so that everyone is up-to-date on activities.” Staying organized is also about having a clean environment. Wiss advises having a “family command station” near an entranceway, where important papers and documents are placed, along with keys, chargers, batteries and petty cash. Carving out dedicated spots will save time and improve efficiency in your home.
Communicate with Your Employer. Before talking to your employer or HR representative, construct a written plan detailing what you need. Weinberger suggests “researching whether other employees have flexible arrangements and using this information to your advantage… This information will help tailor your proposal to the terms that your employer has already embraced with your coworkers.” Every employer is different, and only you will know how much to share, but try to be as open and honest as possible. Be prepared to present alternative solutions, such as a trial period of your projected work schedule so you can show how the arrangement won’t restrict productivity.
Moms seeking maternity leave should ask questions when speaking with a supervisor. The two biggest questions to ask are “How much time can I take off?” and “How much of that time will be paid?” Discuss using short-term disability or vacation/sick time to cover some of your time away from the office. Weinberger adds, “It’s best to know those answers to avoid any confusion during your leave.”
Stay Connected During the Day. Stay connected with your children even when you’re not together. For moms with younger kids, consider recording yourself talking or singing on a video or record your voice reading along to a children’s book (Hallmark has a series of recordable storybooks). If you’re going to miss or be late to an older child’s event, give her something special in the morning, like a good-luck charm or a personal note. Look into options for filming the event so you can watch it later and not miss a moment. Hang pictures of yourself and your partner so the kids can see your faces. During your breaks at work, call your child; hearing her can help you get through a rough day, and she’ll be comforted to know you’re near.
Limit Distractions and Time Wasters. Be disciplined and set time limits when checking email or making phone calls, things you can do when the kids are sleeping. Reduce TV watching to once a week to maximize time with your partner during the evenings. Try to avoid multitasking, especially when spending time with your children. At your workplace, try to avoid wasting time. Of course you want to have a rapport with coworkers, but numerous email exchanges, casual Internet surfing, gossiping, and long lunches are distractions that will make you less productive. Focus on your tasks at work and talk to coworkers during breaks or lunchtime.
Create Special Family Activities. Making time for your kids is crucial, both during the week and on the weekends, to nurture your family dynamic and allow everyone to bond. If you’re pressed for time, have a family breakfast or a family night with board games or movies. “Create activities that regularly fit into your schedule so everyone knows what to expect and what to look forward to,” Wiss suggests. When you do have family outings, avoid talking about work or checking your phone. Instead, focus on your kids’ interests such as friends, classes, and hobbies. With older children, ask for their activity suggestions and try to meet their needs. In the end, it doesn’t really matter what you do as long as you do it together.
Spend Time with Your Partner. Remember to nurture your relationship with your partner, who will often be the number one person by your side. Start by having monthly date nights to get closer, feel rejuvenated, and enjoy each other’s company. Often, if you’re busy with work and home, your partner is the first to get neglected. Fostering this relationship will bring back some excitement to the marriage or partnership and help you to “check in” with each other. For some couples, going out on a monthly date can be difficult and expensive, but that doesn’t mean you can’t focus on each other. Have an indoor date night by cooking an elegant meal together or even sitting together with a glass of wine and talking (but not about work or the kids).
Create Moments for Yourself. By managing time wisely, you can fit in valuable “me” time regularly. A refreshing break will help you recharge while taking care of personal needs. “Because your time is divided between your home and your career, make sure to manage your energy well. You can’t be an effective spouse or parent if you’re cranky, so take time to care for yourself to feel relaxed and effective,” says Wiss. Lose yourself in a book before you go to sleep, take a bubble bath once a week, or treat yourself to a spa day. Fit in time for exercise (like a yoga class) or focus on a hobby. Remember to eat well and get enough rest—simple things that even the smartest moms neglect.

SOURCE: Parents

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The New Downstairs: Nannies

May 5, 2017 by Jamie Danielle

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Over the past years, what has changed with the way we perceive the value of the Nanny profession? This 10-minute long video as part of Financial Times’ The New Downstairs series featuring Nannies showcases a great comparison of expectations of the said profession from the 1980s until this day. Today, they are no longer mere babysitters but most are highly-paid and degree-educated nannies.

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3 Important Activities for a Baby’s Growth and Development

April 14, 2017 by Jamie Danielle

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Being a nanny for a baby can be the dream job. Babies are sweet, adorable and curious! But more than anything they are little sponges, soaking in everything every moment of the day. Remember through all the cuteness you are their teacher and they look to your guidance in learning. When a baby is between the ages of six months and one year, there are lot of activities that you can do with them that will be good for their growth and development. Whether you are nanny or a parent here are a couple ideas that help babies stay cognitively active.

Read to them. Start reading to babies early on and introduce books with beloved characters as well as interactive books that are appealing to the touch and eye. Reading a bedtime story will soothe babies and offer time for you both to have a special connection.
Help them deal with separation anxiety. Most babies have a person they prefer to be with by the time they become one year old. If that person happens to be you, take the opportunity to teach him or her how to better deal with separation anxiety. Don’t make a fuss when you’re leaving, and definitely don’t just sneak out, because it will do more harm than good. Instead, just tell them goodbye and that you will be back. Keep in mind there may be tears but they will soon go away.
Teach them how to feed themselves. This will take time and dedication. Start with foods they love, and encourage them to feed themselves (no matter how messy it gets) offer big smiles and cheer when they start attempting to eat by themselves. Slowly integrate a spoon and teach them to eat soft foods from a bowl or plate. Make meal time fun and playful. Giggles should always be welcome at the dinner table.

Babies are born ready to learn, and their brains develop through use. A child needs a stimulating environment with lots of different activities that give him/her plenty of ways to play and learn, and lots of chances to practice what he/she is learning.

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How to Write a Nanny Contract

3 Essential Tech Safety Tips for Parents and Their Kids